Browsing by Author "Elkhatib, Wiaam"

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    Problem-based Multidisciplinary Participation in Aerospace Design
    (American Society for Engineering Education, 2016-06) Elkhatib, Wiaam; Zusack, Steven Anthony; Schubert, Peter J.; Schaffer, Brock; Akmayeva, Emiliya V.; Proctor, Patrick John; Wiss, Guy Nicholas; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
    This work explores the knowledge development of a diverse team of undergraduate students in pursuit of a RASC-AL engineering challenge by NASA to develop a 1-G deep space station. This habitat would need to be fully self-sufficient within five years of its initial launch and have a 20-30 year operational time span. The breadth of considerations is well-suited for a large team with a broad range of skills. Factors considered include potential fuel sources, location in space, materials, radiation hazards, purpose of construction, physiological and psychological concerns, sustainable agriculture methods, as well as an efficient rotation and docking system. Teams then collectively collaborated to present and successfully justify the most unique, practical, and cost-effective 1G space station design. Self-run by a student organization open to all majors, this design activity builds upon a multi-year history of aerospace project work. Student leadership developed a framework within which each participant can find a useful task and feel part of a larger whole. The aim of the study is to assess effective means for attracting and retaining a large, diverse team in ways which are sustainable during leadership turnover, and to reach for ever more-challenging goals. Past successes within the organization helped to attract and retain a range of interested and motivated students. Student educational outcomes were assessed both before and after the design project. Multiple choice and ranking questions with on-line surveys allow for tracking of perceptions and motivation, and identifying factors contributing to sustained involvement. Individual passions were woven into the overall design approach to provide a sense of ownership and a feeling of contribution which are hypothesized to be strongly correlated with overall success of the team. In this work the extent to which each student’s degree program is utilized is characterized, as well as their particular area(s) of interest, and compared with measures of output and contribution to the final result.
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    Regulation of EVI5, VEGF and P53bp2 during Amphibian Limb Regeneration
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2013-04-05) Elkhatib, Wiaam
    Understanding limb regeneration on a molecular level could lead to new methods of healing for humans, therefore revolutionizing current medical treatments. The axolotl salamander possesses capabilities of limb regeneration that are lost in the Xenopus laevis froglet. The hypothesized reason is that elevated levels of EVI5 (ecotropic viral integration site 5) binding protein allow the axolotl to regenerate by delaying the mitosis of dedifferentiated cells until they have established a blastema. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and P53bp2 (tumor protein 53 binding protein 2) genes also take part in this process by stimulating blood vessel formation and regulating apoptosis and cell growth in regenerated tissue. The objective of this study is to clone EVI5, VEGF, and P53BP2 cDNA that can be used to detect their mRNA transcripts during limb regeneration in the axolotl and Xenopus laevis. To accomplish this, RNA is extracted from axolotl and Xenopus laevis limb tissue using an RNeasy kit. Total RNA concentration is then measured spectrophotometrically. RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) is used to clone the cDNAs, which are identified by Agarose gel electrophoresis and later sequenced for verification. It took half a year to get high enough RNA concentrations from both species’ tissues and then clone the three genes. The EVI5 band size was determined to be about 200bps, VEGF about 370bps, and P53bp2 about 500bps using the Agarose gel electrophoresis, signifying successful gene cloning. The long-term goal is to determine the role these genes play in limb regeneration with the aim of applying that knowledge to new medical treatments.
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    Solar Panel Efficacy vs. Altitude in an Urban City Environment
    (American Society for Engineering Education, 2015-06) Elkhatib, Wiaam; Schubert, Peter J.; Zusack, Steven; Rosales, Emily; Stanforth, Austin; Department of Engineering Technology, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, IUPUI
    In light of current issues of global warming, pollution, and fossil fuel depletion, alternative and renewable energy sources are increasing in desirability. Among these, solar energy is a popular option. However, it is hypothesized that particulate pollution in urban atmospheres limits photovoltaic (PV) efficacy both in accumulated grime and also in altitude via sunlight attenuation. The objective of this study is to measure photovoltaic power output near solar noon at multiple heights within a city environment to determine the influence of altitude on power output. Building rooftops between 200 and 800 feet were sampled simultaneously with a ground level control within a broad university courtyard. Days having no cloud cover were preferentially chosen. Other factors to consider include the “urban heat island” effect and water vapor in the air, so meteorological parameters were measured simultaneously to reduce confounding errors. Multiple repeated tests were conducted to increase confidence, especially since the effect was anticipated to be small in magnitude. Additionally, students affiliated with the project completed surveys to assess how their involvement impacted their learning of experimental design and procedures. Students who chose not to participate were also surveyed to provide a control group. Comparisons in the data are drawn on a power to ambient light ratio to minimize bias between the PV panels used for testing. Preliminary analysis indicates the effect of altitude is minimal within the parameters of this study. Analysis of our data did not significantly demonstrate an improvement in solar productivity at increased altitudes. However, the rigorous test methodology developed provides a means for quantitative analysis in cities with greater levels of pollution relative to the city tested. The survey of students indicated a positive correlation between participation in the project and the amount students felt they learned during the process.